Sausalito's Sea Trek finds a new home

Sausalito's popular kayak rental operation along the shores of the city has found a new location from which to operate: The Bay Model.

Sea Trek has been in Sausalito for the past three decades at Schoonmaker Beach giving adults, youths and the disabled opportunities to explore the bay with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, as well holding classes and summer camps.

Officials with Schoonmaker Point Marina, the current Sea Trek landlord, said they would not renew the lease because there is a concern about liability at the increasingly popular beach. Marina officials were concerned that they could face liability if there was to be an accident involving the Sea Trek operation.

Sea Trek owner Bob Licht, who opened the business in August 1982, found the Bay Model location with assistance from the city.

The deal was made with the Bay Model Alliance, a partnership between The Bay Institute Aquarium Foundation in San Francisco and the Bay Model Visitor Center. Bay Model Alliance's goal is to raise awareness and create greater personal accessibility to the San Francisco Bay ecosystem.

Sea Trek will begin operating from the Bay Model by November and expects a seamless transition from its current site.

"I am particularly excited about working with our new educationally oriented partners." Licht said. "Another big plus will be the ample parking for everyone and our own specially designed docks for paddlers."

He said the site is ideal for kayakers and paddle boarders to explore the waters along Sausalito's shoreline and as a gateway to the outer bay and the Golden Gate.

"Sea Trek will be adding more educationally oriented paddling experiences to our schedules after we move," Licht said. "We are looking at including marine scientists as guest leaders and providing more conservation-oriented options because of our new partnerships. People will leave our trips more knowledgeable about the bay and how to help care for it."

Councilman Jonathan Leone said the city is happy to see Sea Trek stay in Sausalito.

"We worked closely with them to find a new home," he said. "It's a very popular service in our community. It would have been a shame if they left."